My D24 is a legacy. I got my BA & MA from USC. Both of her grandparents went there as well.
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In my case I attended USC for 2 years but transferred and graduated elsewhere. In Common App application my son was able to select that he had a parent who attended but didnât graduate.
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International isnât of interest to my son, so he will attend his 2nd choice (SMU) most likely. Iâm sure heâll love it there and transferring wonât even be on his mind after a year, but in the event he still wants to try it he would just try to transfer like everyone else. USC is apparently pretty transfer friendly.
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International might interest my daughter. But, I honestly canât imagine sending her in just a few months on what feels like short notice â especially since she has other options. One is LMU School of Film & TV for Animation. The other is NYU which has a the first year in Madrid but acceptance guaranteed. It would be hard for us to give those up for a âmaybeâ. But, I think our plan is to keep our option for USC open. So, we will do whatever is required to at least keep the door open should she want to transfer.
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I have a question, or if other ppl who got rejected could please reply as well, did everyoneâs letter whose kid was not admitted has this line where it mentions â admitted students have nearly straight Asâ?
I keep on hearing they have a holistic approach but wondering if 3 Bs would have been not favorable for her.
I believe everyoneâs had the line about straight Aâs. 3 Bâs would not be favorable, but moreso if they were in areas that were important to her major. (Math for engineering, English/Writing for Annenberg etc.)
editing
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Hi All
I know how hard it is to try to understand exactly what is being offered with the latest iteration of TTP/ new variation(s). I can also attest that TTP was being offered last year although I do think USC has been changing the way it works and the label it uses - USC is being very careful not to create any sense of guaranteed admission or any contractual/reliance relationship (I believe that even when it was called âTTP/Trojan Transfer Programâ that USC never guaranteed admission, but likely the word Program created a sense of guarantee so they removed the word). My daughter is currently in Rome with about 35 other USC TTP/prospective transfers (and she knows of many in Paris and London and a few in Switzerland and Prague). They all submitted their transfer applications to USC in February and now hope to hear positive admissions decisions in late May. (Note we are not USC legacy/no ties). Last year, the letter she received never said the words TTP - but rather used the terminology along the lines of how USC was very sorry to not have a space for her immediately, but that they hoped she would consider attending a Trojan Transfer Information Session" and then (possibly in a subsequent letter from USC several days later) she was provided very detailed information about 5 different study abroad options, community college options, including the âarticulation agreementsâ for the foregoing, and then there was a blurb saying that while she could do another 4 year college in the US, it was not as favorable. The detailed letter also said that the âaverage GPA of a successful transfer applicant is a 3.7.â We scrambled last April to gather information because she had her heart set on USC and she felt she needed to NOT accept at one of the other 4 yr colleges she had been accepted to (including another highly competitive school in LA which was her second choice college, which made it a particularly weighty decision at least to us parents - but we are not in charge!). She gathered enough information to feel comfortable forgoing the other 4 year colleges (again our daughter is very clear that USC is the place for her). She had one zoom session with a USC admissions person in June, during which they talked about how to pick classes and could ask questions etc (this was a large zoom call, where the admissions team broke them into breakout sessions of about 10 students with an admissions team member in each zoom room and they could ask a lot of questions - that was the one and only âsession with admissionsâ that we had to navigate class selections so itâs good to have your questions ready!). FWIW she has had the greatest experience - literally of a lifetime - doing TTP in Rome. I cannot emphasize the growth, independence and friendships (they will arrive on campus with very tight group of other USC TTP transfers), not to mention the amazing travel! But it does take a fairly independent kid and a leap of faith to take this route. I know there are also a lot of TTP kids who do Santa Monica Community College and even live at Gateway. Based on our highly informal study of past years of TTP (via Facebook groups etc), north of 95% of TTP applicants get accepted, but there is no guarantee (the main issues I have heard of are either that the student went to a 4 year college and is an engineering major or SCA/very specific type of major and does not list a second choice that is an easier major to get accepted into - note a 2nd easier choice is easy to list on the transfer application), or that something went fairly significantly wrong with GPA or a significant behavior issue - as in got arrested or something significant).
Another note: the programs in Rome (JCU) and Paris (AUP) both say they are planning information sessions on zoom (which I think they also try to record) if anyone wants to find info about the study abroad options.
I am not sure what to make about the fact that USC may or may not be sending out invitations to Trojan Transfer Information Sessions to every rejected applicant this year (that was definitely not the case last year). If so, that would be a new thing. But at the same time, maybe they feel they have the space for more transfer applicants and/or they want to encourage more pathways to USC. It is unclear whether the admissions rate for the so-called TTP students or whatever we should now call them (again currently this seems to me to be north of 95%) will be affected by any increase in the number of applicants they invite to the sessions (maybe USC can accommodate if they donât live in dorms), and also unclear how many students will really take USC up on the transfer option (not every kid is comfortable with another year of some degree of uncertainty/saying no to another good 4 yr college/added complications for students seeking financial aid). I do have the impression that transfers who spend freshman year doing one of the pre-approved study abroad programs (and probably also kids doing the community college route) likely have a slightly higher priority for admission compared to a transfer coming from another 4 yr college in the US (which is of course why this is a difficult decision).
Best of luck to all!
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Welcome to CC and thank you for sharing your experiences.
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Thank you for sharing this.
I so appreciate @Mgc sharing such an extensive view of their TTP experience. There is a lot of great info thereâŠ
They are definitely making the transfer process appear more one size fits all, aside from having two different letters, one that differs in its appearance to appease the legacy crowd somewhat. What I would assume, is that they are still flagging applications for the Trojan Transfer, but are doing it more privately - they are likely putting a âgold starâ on peopleâs applications - versus putting it out there publicly through a specific letter that targets a specific group of students (which they canât admit to doing now because of the way things are these days). When you apply as a transfer that file is seen with your original application. Frankly, this year is way more ambiguous which makes it way harder for you to know what to do. I get that. I do not believe TTP is gone, it appears to be just more undercover.
TTP has been in place for decades and was alive and well last year in 2023 (as written about above) with applicants using the program and individual meetings to prepare to transfer this year. Up thru last year, as an âofficial TTPâ applicant, it was easier to decide what to do and how much to change to meet USCâs requirements, because TTP applicants were about as close to guaranteed as could be (with correct gpa and classes). This year, there is no clear indication as to which side of the fence you are on.
Transfer sessions have always been held every year (usually later summer/early fall) for the general transfer crowd. So no change there except timing. The question is, will people still get individual meetings and made to feel like a âspecial transfer applicantâ as has been done for decades, or will everyone be tossed into a general meeting.
Personal thoughts - for those that are 100% committed to finish college with a USC degree no matter what, the plan to transfer can work out and let you still have your dream, and even save a good amount of money (if you go to a cc for a year for example), or give you opportunity to study abroad. For others, itâs a pretty good back up plan for a 4 year you are unsure of - you can go to another school and if you donât like it, go for this. Of course, you have to get in, but transfer has a much higher acceptance rate than RD.
It is a great plan for many, but I donât think I would want my student to give up another good 4 year that they feel they could be happy at, and change to a cc (unless great benefits to do so) for the âmaybeâ of a transfer. A student can certainly transfer from a 4 year. They canât publicly state this (it would anger other colleges if they encouraged students to leave after a year) so they have always encouraged a CC or one of their international partners. They take more from CCâs just because they do, and more apply from those, but Iâve known plenty that came in from a 4 year through TTP and regular transfer.
Regardless, if you are strongly interested in transferring or just entertaining the possibility, plan on attending another school first. Then you can pursue the transfer by expressing interest and signing up for meeting in summer. Then go to your other school. If it is a CC (2 year), you can work really hard to make the transfer happen. If it is a 4 year school, I would embrace it, commit to it, and give it a chance. If you donât love it after first semester, you can apply by February 1st for the transfer. If you love your new school, and forgot about USC - then just donât apply. Itâs that simple.
For some - and this is what you have to be careful of - it can turn it into a mental hostage situation - a student hangs in limbo for a year while trying to meld with the other school and canât, because they still dream of USC. Itâs those that intended on a four year that change plans just for USC that are at most risk for angst. Students can have a bad semester at no fault of their own (illness/family issues/stress etc), and the idea they would lose USC all over again on top of other stressors can be a lot on them.
And not to be discouraging at all - just helping prepare - the student will go through the stress of the college process again. They go through doing the application (while in college this time) and the acceptance cycle again in late spring. Results for transfers roll out much later than RD - while a few may find out in later April, the majority are waiting till late May and even June (depending on when a schoolâs quarter or semester ends and report grades). Some advisors will be positive and reassuring, others will not be responsive at all. That part is a crap shoot. Transferring is not always easy socially. For some, itâs the only way they have to make it happen and they are prepared to handle the transfer culture, which does exist at USC. Some will transition in smoothly and find their peeps, for others, it can be harder to find a group coming in late to the game. This can obviously happen to freshman as well.
I wish you all the best in your choice - take or leave any info here - college and the way you go about it is a personal choice. You do you!
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Thank you so much @CADREAMIN. Your contribution to the USC posts, in general, is greatly appreciated but the TTP information is especially useful.
I think I/we have a much clearer idea of how to manage expectations and how to plan. Given that we have options, I feel like we are in a good spot. My D24 is more open to the journey than the destination. And, there is always grad school. My S28 however will be laser focused on USC and knows transferring may be in his future if that is what is takes 
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I would be looking for a possible follow up letter as mentioned by @Mgc to determine if they are still selecting notable applicants. Just my thoughtâŠ.
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We did get a more detailed letter a few days later. If it would be helpful, should I post it here? LMK
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sent you a message
I sent you one
Thanks a lot for your great advice. I agree with you 100 percent. My son got one of those vague emails with his rejection and then another email: " Transferring to USC is best approached with a careful plan. To assist you, we invite you to attend a Trojan Transfer Information Session in June, led by a USC admission office." Going through this ordeal was very challenging both for my son and us as parents. I told my son to choose a 4-year college, although it isnât his first or second choice. If it works, that would be perfect. If not, he can try to transfer.
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We are in the same boat. The rejection letter was much more personal than the TTP letter. We will keep the door open for transferring. FWIW I transferred to USC as an undergrad after 3 years at UCSB. It was absolutely the right choice for me. And, it is probably a factor in why I donât want the door to close for D24.
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My son chose to accept TTP last year. It was a very difficult decision for him as he was accepted at various selective colleges. Having an older brother at SC who was able to provide him exposure to the great social life only made his decision more difficult. The frat parties and football games in addition to the excellent academic exposure and the suberb SC networking environment was too hard for my younger son to pass up. When he asked my older son about his take on TTP, he answered by saying âDo you want to be a Trojan or notâ. In my older sonâs words, âTTP is a cheat code for admissionâ. In essence, for those that are set on attending SC, TTP provides an opportunity to gain a huge edge above all regular transfers. My son was provided guidance from SC counselors on classes to take and have been helpful in answering various questions throughout his first semester.
One of the biggest issues that my son thought about was not missing out on the freshman experience. Consequently, he chose to live at the Gateway apartment complex, which is literally 1 block away from the campus. There are many TTP students who choose this option. He has had an awesome experience. He is attending a local community college and is able to get the full freshman experience. He has met a ton of students and made a lot of friends. In fact, he was able to pledge for a fraternity and is now a full member. Many fraternities recently chose to disaffiliate from USC and this allows TTP students to pledge and become full members.
He was able to get straight Aâs his first semester and is highly anticipating a positive decision late May.
TTP was the right decision for my son. The uncertainty of not having a guarantee is difficult to have above your head for a full year, but we are hoping that its worth it. My son has had a great experience so far and we would recommend it only to those that are set on SC. Fight on!
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It sounds like TTP in its current 2024 form might be different than in the past. Still an unknown. I think it will be telling if they get 1:1 access to counselors as in the past or if it just becomes a how to transfer to USC forum with multiple students. If they still commit to 1:1 access for some of the students that is a big investment in my opinion, and probably more like TTP of the past.
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